More than 100,000 private sector employees will soon receive RO325 as minimum salary for the month of July. The government decision to raise the minimum wage for Omanis working in the private sector from RO200 to RO325 per month has made many happy, especially as Eid shopping will soon begin. Some began receiving the hike from last month.

Ibtisaam al Balushi, a receptionist at a company, said, “This Eid is special for me, as I will be able to afford to buy whatever I need for the festival. I used to get RO250 and now I will get RO325.”

Like Ibtisaam, many expect the hike to improve their standard of living. “I am happy now. RO200 was simply not enough and the time is right as expenses are more during Eid. However, I hope prices of goods don’t shoot up,” said Ali Sultan, a worker at a cleaning company.

Some anticipate a rise in cost of services and goods. “Our company has 300 Omani employees who will benefit from the hike, but I'm afraid the cost of our services will have to be increased to make up for staff salaries,” said a company official.

According to the Public Authority for Social Insurance (PASI), over 66 per cent of all registered employees received less than RO300 per month. As of May 2013, 27.6 per cent of citizens received a monthly salary of RO200 and less and 38.4 per cent received between RO200 and RO300.